Craig Petronella, Top Raleigh NC Cyber Security Expert, Reveals How to Stop Computer Thieves from Stealing Vital Company Information
As one of the most respected cybersecurity authorities in the Raleigh-Durham-Research Triangle Park region, Craig Petronella shares critical strategies and expert insights on how businesses can protect their most sensitive data from sophisticated cyber criminals targeting North Carolina companies every single day.
Computer Thieves Are Stealing Company Data at an Alarming Rate
Every business in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the broader Research Triangle Park region is a potential target for cybercriminals seeking to steal sensitive company information. The threat is not abstract or theoretical; it is happening right now, every single day, to businesses of every size across North Carolina. Computer thieves use increasingly sophisticated methods to infiltrate corporate networks, steal proprietary data, compromise customer records, and hold critical business systems hostage for ransom. The financial and reputational consequences of these attacks are devastating and often irreversible.
Small and mid-sized businesses in the Triangle region are disproportionately affected because they typically lack the dedicated security teams and enterprise-grade defenses that larger organizations deploy. Many business owners operate under the dangerous misconception that their company is too small to be targeted, when in reality, cybercriminals specifically seek out smaller organizations precisely because they know these businesses are less likely to have robust security controls in place. Craig Petronella, the founder of Petronella Technology Group, has spent more than twenty-two years fighting this exact problem, protecting over 2,500 companies and maintaining a flawless zero-breach (for managed security clients) record for clients under his managed security umbrella.
How to Keep Computer Thieves from Stealing Your Vital Company Information
Craig Petronella, widely recognized as one of the top cybersecurity experts in Raleigh, North Carolina, has built his career around a singular mission: protecting businesses from the relentless onslaught of cyber threats that target organizations across the Triangle region and beyond. In this press feature, Petronella shares the critical security strategies that every business owner, executive, and IT manager needs to understand and implement to keep computer thieves from accessing, stealing, or destroying vital company information.
At the core of Petronella's approach is the principle of defense-in-depth, a layered security strategy that ensures no single point of failure can compromise an entire organization. This methodology begins with a thorough security assessment to identify existing vulnerabilities, followed by the implementation of multiple overlapping security controls that work together to detect, prevent, and respond to threats at every level of the technology stack. From network perimeter defenses and email security gateways to endpoint detection and response solutions and employee security awareness training programs, each layer adds another barrier that cybercriminals must overcome to reach their targets.
Petronella emphasizes that technology alone is not enough to stop determined attackers. The human element remains the most exploited vulnerability in any organization's security posture. Phishing emails, social engineering attacks, and compromised credentials account for the vast majority of successful data breaches, which is why PTG's approach places equal emphasis on people, processes, and technology. By combining modern security tools with comprehensive employee training and robust security policies, organizations can build the kind of resilient security posture that keeps computer thieves out and keeps vital company information safe and protected.
Craig Petronella's Top Recommendations for Protecting Company Data
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication Everywhere
One of Craig Petronella's most emphatic recommendations is the universal deployment of multi-factor authentication (MFA) across every system, application, and access point in your organization. Passwords alone are no longer sufficient to protect against modern attack techniques. Cybercriminals use credential stuffing, brute force attacks, and stolen password databases to gain unauthorized access to business systems. Multi-factor authentication adds a critical second layer of verification that makes it exponentially more difficult for computer thieves to compromise accounts, even when they possess valid credentials. PTG helps businesses in Raleigh, Durham, and the Research Triangle Park region implement MFA solutions that are both secure and user-friendly, ensuring maximum adoption across the organization.
Deploy Advanced Endpoint Detection and Response
Traditional antivirus software is woefully inadequate against today's sophisticated cyber threats. Craig Petronella recommends that every business replace legacy antivirus with advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) platforms that use artificial intelligence and behavioral analysis to identify and neutralize threats in real time. EDR solutions continuously monitor every device in your network, analyzing patterns of activity to detect malicious behavior that signature-based antivirus would miss entirely. When a threat is identified, EDR platforms can automatically isolate the affected device, terminate malicious processes, and alert security personnel for further investigation. PTG deploys enterprise-grade EDR solutions for businesses of all sizes throughout the Triangle, providing the same level of endpoint protection used by Fortune 500 companies.
Establish a Security Awareness Training Program
Craig Petronella stresses that employees are both the greatest vulnerability and the strongest potential defense in any organization's security posture. Computer thieves rely heavily on human error, using phishing emails, social engineering tactics, and deceptive websites to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. A comprehensive security awareness training program transforms employees from vulnerable targets into informed guardians of company data. PTG's training programs include regular phishing simulations, interactive educational modules, and ongoing reinforcement campaigns that keep security awareness top-of-mind throughout the organization. For businesses in Raleigh, Durham, and the Research Triangle Park, this training is tailored to address the specific threat patterns that target North Carolina organizations.
Implement Network Segmentation and Zero Trust
Petronella advises businesses to abandon the outdated perimeter-based security model and embrace a zero-trust architecture that treats every user, device, and network connection as potentially hostile until verified. Network segmentation divides your infrastructure into isolated zones, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to one segment, they cannot move laterally to reach sensitive systems and data in other parts of the network. This approach is particularly critical for businesses that handle protected health information under HIPAA, classified defense data under CMMC, or financial records subject to regulatory compliance. PTG designs and implements zero-trust architectures for businesses across the Triangle, creating robust security boundaries that keep computer thieves contained and limited in their ability to cause damage.
Maintain Immutable Backup and Disaster Recovery
Even the most robust security controls cannot guarantee one hundred percent prevention of every possible attack. Craig Petronella emphasizes that a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery strategy is essential to ensure business continuity when incidents occur. Immutable backups, which cannot be modified, encrypted, or deleted by ransomware or other malicious software, provide a reliable recovery point that allows businesses to restore operations quickly without paying ransom demands. PTG implements multi-tier backup solutions that include local, offsite, and cloud-based copies of critical data, with regular testing and verification to ensure backups are valid and recoverable. For businesses in Raleigh, Durham, and the Research Triangle Park region, this approach has proven invaluable in protecting against the ransomware attacks that have devastated so many organizations.
Conduct Regular Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessments
Craig Petronella recommends that every business conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify security weaknesses before cybercriminals discover and exploit them. Penetration testing simulates real-world attack scenarios against your organization's network, applications, and physical security controls, revealing vulnerabilities that automated scanning tools often miss. Vulnerability assessments provide a comprehensive inventory of known security weaknesses across your infrastructure, prioritized by risk severity and potential impact. PTG's team of certified security professionals performs thorough penetration tests and vulnerability assessments for businesses throughout the Triangle region, providing detailed reports and actionable remediation recommendations that strengthen your defenses against computer thieves seeking to steal vital company information.
Why Triangle Businesses Trust Craig Petronella to Protect Their Data
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919-348-4912Cybersecurity Solutions Tailored to Your Industry
Craig Petronella's expert advice on stopping computer thieves applies to businesses across every industry in the Raleigh-Durham-Research Triangle Park region. Whether you operate a healthcare practice that must safeguard patient records under HIPAA, a law firm protecting privileged attorney-client communications, a financial services company managing sensitive financial data, a manufacturing firm guarding proprietary trade secrets and intellectual property, or a technology startup building products that require robust security from the ground up, Petronella Technology Group delivers tailored cybersecurity solutions that address your industry's unique threat profile and regulatory requirements. The strategies Craig Petronella shares in this press coverage are universal principles that form the foundation of effective data protection across all sectors.
Managed Cybersecurity
Comprehensive threat detection, monitoring, and response services for Triangle-area businesses.
Penetration Testing
Identify vulnerabilities before hackers do with professional penetration testing from PTG.
Compliance Services
HIPAA, CMMC, SOC 2, and PCI DSS compliance programs for regulated industries.
Craig's Best-Selling Book
Read about Craig Petronella's cybersecurity book that hit three Amazon Best Sellers lists.
The PTG Advantage in Cybersecurity
When Craig Petronella speaks about keeping computer thieves from stealing vital company information, he is drawing on an unparalleled foundation of real-world expertise. Petronella Technology Group has been on the front lines of cybersecurity defense in the Raleigh, North Carolina area for over twenty-two years, building a reputation that is synonymous with trust, excellence, and measurable results. PTG has served more than 2,500 companies across the Triangle region and maintains the industry's most impressive statistic: zero breaches for clients under managed security programs. This is not a theoretical claim but a documented track record that reflects the depth of expertise, the quality of the technology stack, and the unwavering commitment to client protection that defines every engagement.
What truly sets PTG apart is the caliber of leadership. Craig Petronella is not just a business executive overseeing a security firm; he is a hands-on practitioner, a published author, a recognized industry thought leader, and one of the most sought-after cybersecurity experts in the Research Triangle Park region. When you partner with PTG, you gain access to Craig's personal expertise and the elite team he has assembled, professionals who share his passion for protecting businesses from the computer thieves and cybercriminals that threaten organizations every single day. That combination of leadership, experience, and an impeccable track record is the PTG advantage, and it is why businesses across North Carolina choose Petronella Technology Group to protect their most vital company information.
Questions About Protecting Your Company from Computer Thieves
Who is Craig Petronella and why is he considered a top Raleigh NC cybersecurity expert?
Craig Petronella is the founder and CEO of Petronella Technology Group (PTG), a leading cybersecurity and managed IT services firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. With over twenty-two years of experience, Craig has protected more than 2,500 companies, maintains a zero-breach (for managed security clients) record for managed security clients, and is a published Amazon best-selling author on cybersecurity topics. He is widely recognized as one of the foremost cybersecurity authorities in the Raleigh-Durham-Research Triangle Park region.
What are the most common ways computer thieves steal company information?
Computer thieves most commonly steal company information through phishing emails that trick employees into revealing credentials, ransomware attacks that encrypt and exfiltrate data, exploitation of unpatched software vulnerabilities, compromised passwords due to weak security practices, social engineering attacks that manipulate human trust, and man-in-the-middle attacks on unsecured network connections. Craig Petronella advises businesses to implement defense-in-depth strategies that address all of these attack vectors simultaneously.
How can I protect my business from data theft in Raleigh NC?
Protecting your business from data theft requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that includes implementing multi-factor authentication, deploying advanced endpoint detection and response solutions, establishing employee security awareness training programs, maintaining immutable backups, conducting regular penetration testing, and partnering with a trusted cybersecurity provider like Petronella Technology Group who can monitor your environment twenty-four-seven and respond to threats in real time.
What is defense-in-depth and why does Craig Petronella recommend it?
Defense-in-depth is a cybersecurity strategy that uses multiple layers of security controls to protect an organization's assets. Rather than relying on a single firewall or antivirus solution, defense-in-depth deploys overlapping protections at every level, including network perimeter, email, endpoints, applications, data, and user access. Craig Petronella recommends this approach because it ensures that no single point of failure can compromise your entire organization, making it exponentially harder for computer thieves to succeed.
What should I do if my company has already been breached?
If your company has already experienced a data breach, Craig Petronella recommends immediately isolating affected systems to prevent further damage, contacting a qualified cybersecurity incident response team such as PTG, preserving forensic evidence for investigation and potential legal proceedings, notifying affected parties as required by North Carolina data breach notification laws, and implementing comprehensive remediation measures to prevent future incidents. Contact PTG at 919-348-4912 for emergency incident response assistance.
How much does cybersecurity cost for a small business in the Triangle area?
The cost of cybersecurity for a small business in the Raleigh-Durham-Research Triangle Park area varies depending on the size of the organization, the complexity of its IT infrastructure, regulatory compliance requirements, and the level of protection needed. However, Craig Petronella emphasizes that the cost of a data breach, which averages over three million dollars for small businesses, far exceeds the investment in proactive security measures. PTG offers scalable cybersecurity solutions designed to fit the budgets of businesses of all sizes. Contact PTG at 919-348-4912 for a customized quote.
Does PTG offer free cybersecurity assessments?
Yes, Petronella Technology Group offers complimentary cybersecurity assessments for businesses in the Raleigh-Durham-RTP region and beyond. During this assessment, PTG's certified security professionals will evaluate your current security posture, identify vulnerabilities and compliance gaps, assess your risk exposure, and provide actionable recommendations for strengthening your defenses against computer thieves and cybercriminals. Contact PTG at 919-348-4912 to schedule your free assessment today.
What makes PTG different from other cybersecurity companies in Raleigh?
Petronella Technology Group is distinguished by its twenty-two-plus year track record, its zero-breach (for managed security clients) record for managed security clients, the expertise of founder Craig Petronella as a recognized industry thought leader and Amazon best-selling author, and the comprehensive nature of its security solutions that cover people, processes, and technology. PTG has protected over 2,500 companies and provides truly personalized security services, not the cookie-cutter approach that many competitors offer.
How often should my business conduct penetration testing?
Craig Petronella recommends that businesses conduct penetration testing at least annually, with quarterly vulnerability assessments between penetration tests. However, organizations in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and government contracting may need to conduct testing more frequently to meet compliance requirements. Additionally, penetration testing should be performed after any significant infrastructure changes, application deployments, or security incidents to ensure new vulnerabilities have not been introduced.
Can PTG help with regulatory compliance in addition to cybersecurity?
Absolutely. Petronella Technology Group provides comprehensive compliance consulting services for major regulatory frameworks including HIPAA for healthcare organizations, CMMC for Department of Defense contractors, SOC 2 for technology service providers, PCI DSS for businesses processing payment cards, and various state and federal privacy regulations. Craig Petronella and the PTG team help organizations achieve, document, and maintain compliance while simultaneously strengthening their overall security posture against computer thieves and cyber threats.
Stop Computer Thieves with Raleigh's Top Cybersecurity Expert
Craig Petronella and the Petronella Technology Group team are ready to help you protect your vital company information from computer thieves and cybercriminals. With over twenty-two years of experience, 2,500+ companies protected, and zero breaches among clients following our security program on record, PTG delivers the proven security expertise your business needs. Schedule your free cybersecurity assessment today.
Petronella Technology Group • Raleigh, NC • 919-348-4912